-
“My world is too small; I need others”
Anabaptist women theologians explore global network By Virginia A. Hostetler, with reports by Harriet Sider Bicksler and Elina Ciptadi-Perkins Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA — At Mennonite World Conference (MWC) assembly, 21–25 July 2015, Anabaptist women gathered for the first time to consider forming a global Anabaptist women’s network. In regional sessions, women from Asia, Latin America,
-
How to celebrate 500 years
Faith and Life Commission workshop explores how to observe 2025 By Gordon Houser Mennonite World Conference held its first assembly in 1925 – the 400th anniversary of the beginning of the Anabaptist movement. With the 500th anniversary only 10 years away, many people are wondering how MWC plans to commemorate it. A workshop 24 July
-
Unexpected blessing
Friendship group gives financial gift to Kenyan pastor By Paul Schrag In his friendship group at the Mennonite World Conference assembly, Francis Ojwang found that getting to know fellow believers from distant places brought an unexpected blessing. The Kenyan pastor had hoped that his wife, Everline Achieng, could travel with him to PA 2015. But,
-
Global Church Village invites visitors to leave their mark
PA 2015 attendees put personal touch on MWC sculpture By Connie Faber “This seems like an innocent form of community graffiti,” Roland Yoder says with a smile as he watches the hub of activity around the three-dimensional sculpture of the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) logo that Yoder designed for the Global Church Village (GCV) at
-
Are Mennonites allergic to evangelism?
Tshimanga calls for action in mission and evangelism By Virginia A. Hostetler Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Energy was still high in the penultimate plenary session of PA 2015, featuring the work of the MWC Mission Commission. Speakers issued sharp challenges to Anabaptists, calling for a more active and evangelistic discipleship. There is an uneasiness regarding
-
Our religion is relationship worked out in love
PA 2015 Saturday night worship service By Doreen Martens Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Love for neighbour is absolutely central to the gospel, speaker Bruxy Cavey said in the final plenary service of PA 2015. This evening saw the passing of leadership from Mennonite World Conference president Danisa Ndlovu to incoming president Nelson Kraybill. In a
-
At MWC assembly, MCC cans vegetables for first time
International participants can beans in Pennsylvania heat By Tim Huber Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Mennonite Central Committee’s mobile meat canner went vegan for Mennonite World Conference PA 2015, switching for one week from pork, beef and turkey to green beans. Slipping out a back door into a parking lot, attendees donned hairnets, a few beard
-
Autonomy and awakening
Assembly called to wrestle with independence and community By Tim Huber HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, USA – Each person is never alone. They must live in community. Yet each also craves independence and autonomy. Dutch Mennonite pastor and retreat centre host Wieteke van der Molen told Mennonite World Conference assembly attendees 24 July 2015 that since the
-
Confession and forgiveness are part of loving your neighbour
Speakers call church to a love that acts on behalf of others By Lil Goertzen Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA — “We are here today, celebrating our common Anabaptist faith and our position in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Deacons Commission representative Shantkumar S. Kunjam of India greeted the participants of PA 2015 in the morning plenary 24
-
Mukawa calls for reconciliation with God, others
Christ’s Lordship prevails over denied visas, ethnic conflict and interdenominational differences By Connie Faber Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Nzuzi Mukawa, Mennonite Brethren pastor and educator from DR Congo, challenged his audience 23 July 2015 to leave Mennonite World Conference PA 2015 as men and women who are reconciled with God and with others. The conflict
-
Praising in painful times
With mercy, the Holy Spirit irons our hearts, says Japanese pastor By Anna Groff Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Yukari Kaga, a pastor from Japan, admitted Peter’s praise in his letter to the early church seems “a little strange to me.” “How can we praise the Lord in such a painful situation? (1 Peter 3–9),” she
-
Speakers share doubts from their settings, journeys
Walking in doubt and conviction in second Assembly plenary Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Three speakers, one each from Kenya, Canada and Ethiopia, shared stories of doubt in their local contexts at Assembly 16’s morning worship 22 July 2015. “We are learning, in this wonderful global family, that this is the best way to deepen our
